Ratchet-like wrench

ABSTRACT

The ratchet-like wrench comprises a handle terminating in a body having an open chamber, a separator positioned in the chamber, a hub member positioned above the separator and a closure member closing off the chamber. The bottom surface of the chamber includes a plurality of spaced recesses arcuately formed and a ball is positioned in each recess. The ball is also accommodated by an annular groove in the hub member. The separator operates between the recesses and a biasing spring is positioned between the separator and the ball in each recess. A selector connected to the separator is adjustable to urge the balls along the arcuate surface so as to force the hub member into engagement with the closure member thereby preventing rotation of the hub.

United States Patent 1191 Myers RATCHET-LIKE WRENCH [75] Inventor:Herman A. Myers, Masontown, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Innovate, 1nc., Masontown, Pa.

[22] Filed: Oct. 31, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 411,212

[52] US. Cl ..81/59.1, 192/44, 81/631 [51] Int. Cl B25b 13/00 [58] Fieldof Search 81/591, 60, 63.1; 192/44 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,119,622 6/1938 Freber 81/59.] X 3,621,739 11/1971 Seablom8l/59.l 3,640,158 2/1972 Myers 81/59.] 3,679,031 7/1972 Stephens 81/631Primary Examiner-James L. Jones, Jr, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Webb,Burden, Robinson &

Webb

1451 July 16, 1974 [5 7] ABSTRACT accommodated by an annular groove inthe hub member. The separator operates between the recesses and abiasing spring is positioned between the separator and the ball in eachrecess. A selector connected to the separator is adjustable to urge theballs along the arcuate surface so as to force the hub member intoengagement with the closure member thereby preventing rotation of thehub.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures l6 VJ) 1 RATCHET-LIKE WRENCH FIELD OF THEINVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The standard ratchet wrenchincludes a pawl and ratchet wheel or gear, both of which have teeth forengagement with the pawl ln my U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,158,

I disclosed a ratchet-like tool which eliminated the ratchet wheel andgear arrangement of the prior art.

The wrench disclosed in my patent operates on the basis of roller pairsand inclined surfaces which coact to permit rotation of the hub memberin the desired direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My improved ratcheteliminates the roller partsand pairs of inclined surfaces and maximizes the surface area in contactbetween the operable elements. This simplifies theconstruction andmanufacturing of the tool without detracting from the holding strengthresulting from the frictional engagement of the coacting elements. Theadditional surface area contact further reduces wear by more evendistribution of the frictional forces. I

My wrench includes a body member having anopen chamber therein whichincludes a plurality-of spaced recesses arcuately formed in the terminalend of the chamber. A separator is positioned in the chamber havingsections extending between the recesses. A ball and a pair of springsare positioned in the recesses with the springs being'retained by theseparator. Ahub member is positioned over the balls and includes abottom surface having an annular groove to cooperate with the balls. Aclosure member closes off the chamber and includes a bottom bearingsurface which is engageable with the top surface of the flange of thehub member. I

- As the balls are urged along the arcuate recesses through movement ofa selector connected to the separator. the hub member engages theclosure member so as to prevent rotation in a first direction and permitfree movement in the direction opposite of the first direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Q chamber 13 terminates at bottomsurface 14 which includes three recesses 15 equal spaced along surface14, FIGS. '1, 3 and 4. Recesses 15 are arcuately formed downward intosurface 14 and substantially resemble segments of a circle in plan viewalthough the recesses 15 are rounded at their end positions, FIGS. 4 and4a.

A ball 16 is positioned in each recess 15 and a separator 17 ispositioned within the chamber 13 so that ribs 18 of the separator 17extend radially outward between the recesses 15, FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. Eachrib 18 includes oppositely directed recesses 19 which accommodatesprings 28 which coact between the ball 16 and the recesses 19 of theribs 18. Pairs of balls may be employed in each recess with the springstherebetween in which case the wrench has a center locking position.

A hub 20 is positioned in the chamber 13, FIG. 2. Hub 20 includes alower flange 21 having an upper bearing surface 25 and a neck 22extending upwardly from the flange 21 and out of the chamber 13, FIG. 1.

Neck 22 includes a detent 23 to accommodate a socket in a known manner.The bottom surface of flange 21 includes an annular groove 24 which issemicircular in cross section and which is in line with and accommodatesthe balls 16.

An annular closure member 26 is positioned within the chamber 13 and hasa bottom bearing surface 27 for engagement with the upper bearingsurface 25 of flange 21. Closure member 26 is positioned on an annularledge 38 formed along chamber 15. Closure member 26 has two recesses(not shown) which align with recesses 33 which extend along the chamberwall ber 1,3.'A finger selector 30 connects to the extension 36 ofseparator 17 along the bottom of body l2and is operable in twopositions, which positions are maintained by a standard selector spring31 and selector de- "tent 32 along the bottom surface of body 12, FIGS.1

FIG. 1 is a section through the body portion of the wrench along thecenter line thereof;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the hub member;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the body without the hub DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENT My wrench, generally designated 10, includes astandard handle ll terminating in a body portion 12, FIG. l..An openchamber I3 of circular cross section exsection lines tends into the bodyI2 of the wrench 10. The open 1 and 6.

My wrench operates as follows. As the, selector is moved into a firstposition, the separator 17 compresses the springs 28 to urge the ball 16upward along the arcuaterecesses 15 into engagement with the annulargroove 24 and to force the bearing surface 25 of the flange 21 intofrictional engagement with the bearing surface 27of the closure member.26. This frictional engagement between the respective bearing surfacesprevents further movement of the hub in the direction the 'balls havebeen urged, but permits free rotation of the 3 sibility of slippage. Inaddition, since a substantial portion of the ball is in engagement withthe annular groove, wear of the balls is evenly distributed and isthusly minimized.

I claim:

l. A ratchet-like wrench comprising:

A. a handle terminating in a body having an open chamber therein, aterminal end of the chamber including a plurality of spaced recesses;

B. at least one ball positioned in each recess;

C. a separator positioned in the open chamber and having sectionsextending radially outward between the recesses;

D. biasing means cooperating between the sections and the ball;

E. a hub member positioned within the chamber and including a bottomflange having a semicircular annular groove cooperating with the ballsand a neck portion extending outwardly from the flange to accommodate asocket;

F. a closure member closing off the chamber and having a bottom bearingsurface engageable with the flange; and

G. a selector connected to the separator and adjustable to urge theballs-in a first direction which forces the flange into engagement withthe bearing surface and permits rotation of the hub member in adirection opposite of the first direction.

2. The wrench of claim 1 including a locking member which engages theclosure member and the body to lock the wrench in assembledrelationship.

3. A ratchet-like wrench comprising:

A. a handle terminating in a body having an open chamber including anannular ledge thereabout and a terminal end of the chamber including atleast two recesses arcuately formed therein;

B. one ball positioned in each recess;

C. a separator in the open chamber and having sections extendingradially outward between the recesses and a connecting section extendingthrough the body;

D. biasing means cooperating between the sections and each ball withineach recess;

E. a hub member positioned within the chamber adjacent the separator andincluding a bottom flange having a semicircular annular groove in lineand cooperating with the balls and a neck portion extending outwardlyfrom the flange to accommodate a socket;

F. a closure member positioned on the annular ledge and having a bottombearing surface engageable with the flange; and

G. a selector connected to the connecting section of the separator andadjustable to urge the balls in a first direction which forces theflange into engagement with the bearing surface and permits rotation ofthe hub member in a direction opposite of the first direction.

' 4. The wrench of claim 3, the closure member including meanscooperating with the body chamber to prevent rotation of the closuremember therein.

1. A ratchet-like wrench comprising: A. a handle terminating in a bodyhaving an open chamber therein, a terminal end of the chamber includinga plurality of spaced recesses; B. at least one ball positioned in eachrecess; C. a separator positioned in the open chamber and havingsections extending radially outward between the recesses; D. biasingmeans cooperating between the sections and the ball; E. a hub memberpositioned within the chamber and including a bottom flange having asemicircular annular groove cooperating with the balls and a neckportion extending outwardly from the flange to accommodate a socket; F.a closure member closing off the chamber and having a bottom bearingsurface engageable with the flange; and G. a selector connected to theseparator and adjustable to urge the balls in a first direction whichforces the flange into engagement with the bearing surface and permitsrotation of the hub member in a direction opposite of the firstdirection.
 2. The wrench of claim 1 including a locking member whichengages the closure member and the body to lock the wrench in assembledrelationship.
 3. A ratchet-like wrench comprising: A. a handleterminating in a body having an open chamber including an annular ledgethereabout and a terminal end of the chamber including at least tworecesses arcuately formed therein; B. one ball positioned in eachrecess; C. a separator in the open chamber and having sections extendingradially outward between the recesses and a connecting section extendingthrough the body; D. biasing means cooperating between the sections andeach ball within each recess; E. a hub member positioned within thechamber adjacent the separator and including a bottom flange having asemicircular annular groove in line and cooperating with the balls and aneck portion extending outwardly from the flange to accommodate asocket; F. a closure member positioned on the annular ledge and having abottom bearing surface engageable with the flange; and G. a selectorconnected to the connecting section of the separator and adjustable tourge the balls in a first direction which forces the flange intoengagement with the bearing surface and permits rotation of the hubmember in a direction opposite of the first direction.
 4. The wrench ofclaim 3, the closure member including means cooperating with the bodychamber to prevent rotation of the closure member therein.